Veterinary group offers guidance following passage of Prop B in Missouri
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In November, voters in Missouri narrowly passed Proposition B, instituting new restrictions on large-scale dog breeders. Proposition B limits the number of intact dogs allowed at breeding facilities, but Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), explains there is no guarantee that it will improve the lives of dogs in these facilities. The AVMA has introduced a model bill to assist legislators in writing substantive legislation aimed at improving the treatment of dogs at breeders, shelters, and pet shops. Dr. DeHaven also urges all those who care about dogs to get involved and support the AVMA’s efforts.
Duration : 0:3:37
Tagged with: dog breeder • large-scale breeders • pet shop • Prop B • Proposition B • puppy daycare • Puppy Mill • Puppy Mills • shelter
Filed under: Dog Breeders
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Thank you for your …
Thank you for your reply.
Do you refer to:
HR 3058 (PPA) an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act which would have protected animals living in laboratories, puppy mills and pet stores. Introduced by Sen. Rick Santorum and Richard Durbin .The PPA included a “3 strikes and out” system, recovery limits for breeding females, a minimum breeding age of 1 year for females, adequate socialization with other dogs and people, ..Opposition included breeders, the AKC, the NAIA and the AVMA.
@schipperkerescue …
@schipperkerescue If you go to our site and do a search for “puppy mills,” you’ll see a number of results, including the Model Dog Welfare Act.
@justshelley. …
@justshelley. We’ve made our response and will not continue to argue point-for-point with you on this issue.
Can’t seem to …
Can’t seem to locate any AMVA videos regarding puppy-mills BEFORE Prop.B.
Can’t even seem to find ANYTHING the AMVA said regarding abusive volume dog breeders before now.
Less dogs= less money.
More dogs= more money.
Simple math, simple ‘bidness.
Why should veterinarians be any different?
Our problem is we expected them to be.
@AmerVetMedAssn …
@AmerVetMedAssn Proposition B is an amendment to existing laws that cover all forms of animal centers, including shelters, breeders, pet stores, and boarders. Proposition B is an additional refinement of the law specifically geared to commercial dog breeders. We have a problem with puppy mills, not with rogue boarders and shelters.
@AmerVetMedAssn …
@AmerVetMedAssn When you have a commercial breeder with 400 dogs, exactly how is the inspector supposed to evaluate each individually?
@just Shelley, …
@just Shelley, maybe simplifying this will help? When you overemphasize the characteristics of the facility to the point that you no longer pay attention to the animal, you’ve missed your mark. That’s the difference between a performance-based approach and an engineering one. Is it easier to match up numbers? Sure. Is that the best way to protect the animal? No. Effective inspectors understand this and are qualified and trained to evaluate the animal, not just its environment.
@justshelley Mr. …
@justshelley Mr. Jamison is entitled to express his opinion.
@justshelley You’re …
@justshelley You’re welcome to self-publish, but we do not publish others’ content on our website due to copyright laws and our website policy.
@AmerVetMedAssn
…
@AmerVetMedAssn
There is a difference between a shelter helping to place dogs in homes, and a commercial breeder breeding dogs for profit. Proposition B is a focused bill, focused purely on commercial breeders. Focused on puppy mills. It is a solution to a specific problem–puppy mills. Existing Missouri laws still do apply to shelters, pet stores, and boarding kennels.
@AmerVetMedAssn …
@AmerVetMedAssn Perhaps that’s because Proposition is an _amendment_ to an existing law, and funding criteria is part of the existing law. Frankly, though, I do believe that Prop B will eliminate the worst of the breeders, freeing up inspector time. Plus Prop B regulations are so much easier to enforce–most of the guesswork has been removed.
@AmerVetMedAssn And …
@AmerVetMedAssn And your performance standards cannot be enforced. You state that a dog must have visual enrichment, but you don’t say how an inspector can ensure this regulation is met. You state a dog must have “locomotory activity”, yet provide no guidance for the inspector so they may judge that this requirement is met. Your “regulations” sound impressive, but lack any substance. They read like a 1970s feel good book. I’m OK, and so’s My Dog.
One of the biggest …
One of the biggest differences between Prop B and the AVMA model is that, while Prop B only applies to breeding facilities, the AVMA model covers dogs that are kept and distributed by many types of suppliers. We believe all dogs deserve appropriate care, whether they come from a breeder, a shelter, or an animal control facility.
Unfortunately, …
Unfortunately, adequate enforcement personnel and resources, while lacking in Missouri, haven’t been addressed by Prop B either.
Although based …
Although based largely on performance standards, the AVMA model does use some engineering standards when it has been determined that these are necessary for specifying unambiguous minimum requirements and when their effectiveness has been well-documented. Both performance and engineering standards have been effectively enforced when sufficient personnel and resources are available to do so.
Most animal welfare …
Most animal welfare experts agree that performance standards better measure a dog’s well-being and are flexible enough to support a positive outcome in diverse facilities. Flexibility is important because both small and large operations can and must provide acceptable care for dogs. Furthermore, performance standards better allow consideration of a dog’s breed, age, sex, reproductive status and other factors impacting its individual welfare needs.
Under a performance …
Under a performance standard, if the welfare needs of the dog are met, as evidenced by the dog’s physical and mental condition, then the facilities are sufficient. For example, waste disposal systems are sufficient if enclosures are kept clean and if dogs are kept dry and their coats are free of debris. As indicated in its backgrounder, the AVMA model is based largely on performance standards.
To understand …
To understand enforcement of the AVMA model, it is important to understand the difference between performance standards and engineering standards. Engineering standards generally include rigid technical specifications addressing the dog’s physical environment. Performance standards measure how a dog’s welfare is actually impacted by its environment.
Additional space …
Additional space requirements specified in Prop B as feet and inches and number of tiers of cages appear to apply somewhat arbitrary numbers and are really not tied to the needs of specific animals.
Prop B requires …
Prop B requires sufficient space that the dog can turn and stretch freely, lie down, and fully extend its limbs, while existing Missouri regulations indicate that sufficient space must be provided to allow each animal to turn about freely, to stand, sit and lie in a comfortable, normal position and to walk in a normal manner.
and that the food …
and that the food must be appropriate for the individual animal’s age and condition. Requirements are also specified in the existing regulations for the receptacles in which food is provided (e.g., type, location, sanitation), as well as for how food must be stored. Water requirements in the existing Missouri regulations are similarly detailed. In comparing space recommendations, the functional impact of the Prop B requirements and the existing Missouri regulations are similar.
In comparison, …
In comparison, existing Missouri regulations indicate that animals must be fed at least once every twelve hours (unless the dietary requirements of the species require a longer interval and except as otherwise might be required to provide appropriate veterinary care); that food must be uncontaminated, wholesome, palatable, of sufficient quantity and nutritive value to maintain the normal condition and weight of the animal;
With respect to …
With respect to food, Prop B specifies that access must be provided to nutritious food at least once a day to maintain good health and continuous access to potable water that is not frozen and is free of debris, feces, algae and other contaminants.
A point-by-point …
A point-by-point comparison between Prop B and existing Missouri statute really does not support the dramatic improvement in standards (and subsequently dog welfare) suggested by Prop B proponents. While there are multiple examples that can be chosen, comparisons between requirements for food/water and space are good illustrations.
@justshelley, …
@justshelley, thanks for your interest and your comments. There are many opinions about measures like Prop B, but the important thing to remember is that we all want what is best for the animals. We hope the responses help address the questions you’ve raised.